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Friday, June 26, 2015

Intentional family prayers: Racism

It will be a book of Intentional Family Prayers.
Available as an e-book at first.

My hope is that it will foster intimacy in a family between members of that family and with God.
Look for it in the beginning of September.

For now,
I offer this prayer time regarding racism.
It will be part of a series of prayers in the book,
all using different types of contemplative prayer styles as well as praying through various issues.

My hope,
is that in light of all that has happened in the last year regarding race,
and because of the massacre that took place in Charleston when Christians were murdered as an act of hate against the color of their skin,
that families will use this to not only open themselves to discussion,
but also to change.

Because prayer is the deepest of conversations,
and one of the most vulnerable of intimacies...
it can shift everything.
And it can root us.

A Contemplative Prayer of Repentance for Racism

Light a candle and place it on a table around which your family gathers.
Watch the flicker of the flame, note the warmth it brings, the illumination.

Reader #1: John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Head of Household #1: Take a moment to reflect on dark places in your heart: jealousy
unforgiveness
hate

Now, bring these to Jesus, the Light of the world,
Who came for all people, all creation,
Who broke down dividing walls,
Whose resurrection is redeeming the earth.

Just as light consumes darkness,
So does the finished work of Jesus consume our darkness.

Breathe in deeply, exhale slowly.
Repeat this breathing for as long as the members in your family can,
focusing on the light of the candle, remembering this represents Jesus,
considering the work of restoration between all peoples He has completed

Head of Household #2:
Jesus~
Our redeemer
We come as a family to say we have not
viewed all people the same.
Fear has been our friend
and a history of exclusion rather than embrace
has kept us from welcoming another.

We want to be a family that embraces all,
Just as you do.
We repent of anything but reconciliation and restoration.

In Jesus Name.

Reader #2: John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the Light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

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Should you have further questions about the upcoming e-book or regarding racism, reconciliation, and restoration, comments are welcome.